If you’re experiencing tooth decay and cavities, you may be wondering which type of dental restoration is right for you. Dental fillings, inlays, and onlays are designed to repair your teeth, but each has unique considerations. At Main Street Dental Smiles, we are here to help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions about your dental health. You can always count on Drs. Fort and Schilling and her patient-centered team for outstanding care and service.
Dental Fillings – An Overview
Almost everyone develops a cavity at some point. Early treatment with a dental filling will restore a decayed tooth to its health and function. At Main Street Dental Smiles, we offer tooth-colored composite resin fillings made to match your smile for seamless results.
In the earlier versions, tooth-colored fillings were best suited to treat small to mid-sized cavities in teeth withstanding moderate chewing pressure. Significant advances in the composite material’s composition make it ideal for repairing any tooth, even the molars exposed to substantial wear and chewing pressure.
Tooth-colored fillings are always the first choice in repairing cavities. But what if the damage is too extensive to repair with a filling and not extensive enough to warrant a dental crown? A dental inlay or onlay may be the perfect solution to repair larger cavities, restoring your healthy smile.
Inlays and Onlays – An Overview
Inlays and onlays, or partial crowns, are commonly used to repair the chewing surfaces of molars with severe decay, fractures, or damaged fillings. While an inlay is bonded to the chewing surfaces of a tooth like a dental filling, an onlay covers the chewing surfaces as well as one or more damaged cusps. Compared to dental crowns, inlays and onlays require less removal of natural tooth structure, making them a more conservative option to restore your smile.
Inlays and onlays can be created from a tooth-colored composite resin material, gold, or porcelain. Although composite resin restorations are gentle on the opposing teeth, they can discolor and wear over time. Gold is strong and durable but may be less preferred due to cosmetic concerns.
Porcelain inlays and onlays are often the preferred option for our patients because of their strength and durability and because they are closely color and texture-matched to the surrounding teeth. With proper care, porcelain inlays and onlays have the potential to last for 30 years or even longer!
Dental Fillings, Inlays, and Onlays Near Me in Whitesboro, TX
Visit Main Street Dental Smiles to learn more about restoring decayed teeth with a dental filling, inlay, or onlay. Drs. Fort and Schilling and her team are committed to delivering quality, durable restorations for long-term healthy smiles. We invite you to call 903-564-3451 to schedule your appointment or book one online today!